Kabbalistic Insights into Shvat

Each month of the Hebrew calendar contains mystical meaning. Shvat teaches us about the wellsprings of wisdom.

The word shvat is related to the Hebrew word for a staff or rod. A staff can be used as a symbol of power, or as a cane to lean on. It serves a master. This is an underlying theme of the month.

The constellation associated with Shvat is the water bucket. This symbol also represents an object that serves someone. It draws water. In secular astrology, the symbol is not the bucket but the carrier. (This is one of two out of 12 signs of the zodiac that differ slightly from secular astrology signs.)

The symbolism of the water bucket is very important. A bucket has but one function, design, and purpose: to draw and carry water. That is, to be a vessel of transmission. Its whole essence is one of serving. It is not an end unto itself. It is meant to be a vehicle for something else.

Water, in many places throughout Jewish thought, is a metaphor for the wisdom of Torah. There are a number of qualities that water has, which are conceptually parallel to Torah.

One of the qualities of water is that it always flows to the lowest spot. How is this parallel to Torah? The out-pouring of wisdom that comes from God rests on the most humble personality. The more selfless a person is, the more wisdom flows toward him. If a person devotes himself to ideals, to living truth, to helping others... then he becomes a vessel fitting to receive the Torah's wisdom.

This sign, known as Aquarius, is the sign of the Jewish people. Just as a person is designated by a sign of the zodiac, so to nations also have a sign designated to them.

The natural element is associated with Shvat is wind. Out of the four elements (wind, earth, water, and fire), wind is the least tangible. It often acts as a conduit for other things. It transports moisture, and brings seedlings and other particles of nature from one location to another. Earth, fire and water are more important for what they are, than for what they do.

The tribe of Asher is kabbalistically associated with Shvat. Asher in Hebrew grammar connects the subject of a sentence to a verb. It supports the subject. This is another example of Shvat's relationship to being subordinate to a master.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

All of these points suggest that the month of Shvat is prone to be a conduit for us. A stepping-stone to the next step in our lives.

Many things in a person's life can be looked at from two viewpoints. One view looks at the act itself. The other view is how the act is a means to an end. For example, I may enjoy playing tennis once a week for the pure enjoyment of the game, the exercise, or the company of my playing partner. However, I can also use my weekly tennis game as a means to keep me physically healthy, which gives my whole life more enjoyment, which allows me to serve God with more vigor and joy.

That second viewpoint is not a contradiction to the first view. It's an added, more elevated outlook that makes my tennis playing a more powerful spiritual experience.

The letter kabbalistically associated with Shvat is the tzadi, otherwise known as the tzaddik. That word in Hebrew also means righteous one. One of the qualities of the tzaddik is that he uses all of his activities for a higher purpose. When he eats, it is not just to enjoy the food. He eats in order to better serve his creator. The Talmud says, A righteous person eats to satisfy his soul.

Coincidentally, the human attribute kabbalistically associated with Shvat is eating. This daily experience is connected with the first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve -- not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Through eating, we have a daily opportunity to correct a part of our soul, so deep and intrinsic that it reaches back into the Garden of Eden.

Shvat is a month to focus on this idea of using your normal daily behavior as a medium for spirituality. This month, think through your work, play, exercise, eating, reading, etc. -- and focus on the spiritual side of them.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Max Weiman was raised in Philadelphia and studied classical music and fine art. After university, he received rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He now lives in St. Louis and authors the website kabbalahmadeeasy.com

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 7

(7)
Marty Martinez,
January 16, 2016 6:19 PM

SHEVAT a month in which to serve

Thank you so very much for the wonderful insight of the meaning of the month SHEVAT ... Truly it sharpens the focus of ones heart to yield to the higher purpose of servanthood ...

(6)
julie,
January 21, 2007 10:20 AM

very enjoyable!

This was a very enjoyable read for me--thank you so much for sharing! I always look forward to the meaning associated with each month. You have proven yourself as what you write on--the idea of carriers of water (Torah wisdom)--that you are!Thank you again!

(5)
Anonymous,
February 5, 2005 12:00 AM

Knowledge I'll not get elsewhere!

What a wonderful symbolism--- a man (I presume woman, also)is, not is as a, but,is a tree --- roots, which absorb nourishment, trunk which supports, branches which channel the nourishment to the leaves which beautify the tree!

(4)
Anonymous,
January 24, 2005 12:00 AM

Fantastic insights and information!

So much great information presented succinctly.

(3)
Maria,
January 29, 2004 12:00 AM

Just wonderful !

How could it be ?
So simple words and meaning so much?
Simple and the same time so deep
It is really wonderful
Thank you and congratulations

(2)
Anonymous,
January 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Are there more Like these?

This was a great article. I have been trying to locate information on the connections of the calender to the land and our people for an education program I am designing. This was perfect. I wish I had ones for each month.

(1)
Anonymous,
January 16, 2003 12:00 AM

Thank You

Thank you for this wonderful commentary. This has given me great insight into myself. It is wonderful to see how much things mesh together.